Movable dam

Abstract

The invention relates to a movable dam for a water-course. This dam comprises a chamber which, for example, is formed in a dike or alike and wherein a buoyant body is housed supporting a vertical retaining wall. At its top the chamber communicates with the surroundings through a slot receiving the vertical retaining wall, whereas further a filling channel connects to said chamber and extends towards the watercourse. It is possible that a discharge channel is connected to the lower part of the chamber. Further sealing means may be provided.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. A movable dam for a watercourse, comprising a housing having an inner chamber and a filling channel formed therein, and   a selectively vertically movable retaining element having a buoyant bottom portion and an integrally formed and vertically outwardly extending wall portion, said retaining element being disposed at least partly within said chamber and alternately disposable between a first position where at least a portion of the wall portion of said retaining element is disposed within the chamber and the buoyant bottom portion is located in a bottom portion of the chamber, and a second position where a substantial part of the wall portion extends through a slot formed in an upper portion of the housing, and which communicates with the chamber, into the external environment such that the buoyant portion of the retaining element is disposed within a top portion of the chamber, said retaining element being movable between the first and second positions by fluid entering the inner chamber through the filling channel.   
     
     
       2. The dam of claim 1 wherein said filling channel opens onto the top portion of said chamber, and extends upwardly and outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
       3. The dam of claim 1 further comprising a discharge channel formed in said housing and which opens onto the bottom portion of said chamber. 
     
     
       4. The dam of claim 3 further comprising pump means disposed within said discharge channel for pumping fluid from within said chamber to the external environment through said discharge channel. 
     
     
       5. The dam of claim 1 further comprising seal means forming a relatively fluid-tight seal in the upper portion of the chamber about the slot.